Whisky casks have an incredibly long history. They are believed to date back to the very early days of whisky distillation in Scotland at the start of the 15th century. At this time, the Scots, who had been producing whisky for centuries, decided to start using barrels to store and mature their whisky.

By using whisky casks, Scottish distillers were able to give their whisky a unique, distinctive flavour unlike any other whisky. In this post, we take a look at the history behind whisky casks, and how it’s changed over the years - so continue reading to learn more.

If you’re looking to buy or sell your whisky casks, Auction Your Cask is the number one whisky auction platform to do so as they are the first, live, cask-dedicated online auction in the world.

What are Whisky Casks? 

Whisky casks, also commonly referred to as barrels, are aged oak containers used for the storage and maturation of whisky. These containers have been used for several centuries to store and age whisky: they’re an integral part of the whisky-making process.

These whisky casks were used to improve the flavour and texture of the whisky as it aged and matured. The barrels allowed for the whisky to be exposed to oxygen and the wood provided the whisky with additional flavour.

The History of Whisky Casks

During the early days, wooden barrels were used. But they were quickly replaced by metal casks due to their better insulation properties. In the 18th century, the casks were further improved when coopers began to use charred wood, which imparted a unique smoky flavour to the whisky.

The charred wood also allowed for a better insulation of the whisky, allowing it to mature more evenly. In the 19th century, distillers began to experiment with different woods such as American oak, French oak and Spanish oak. This was done to further enhance the flavour of their whisky.

In the 20th century, distillers began to use different types of barrels such as bourbon barrels and sherry casks to impart different flavours to their whisky. Bourbon barrels are typically made from American oak, while sherry casks are made from Spanish oak. Both of these woods impart distinct flavours to the whisky, giving it a unique flavour profile.
 
 
 
The Present Day

Today, whisky producers continue to experiment with different types of whisky casks to create unique and flavourful whiskies. In addition, distillers are now ageing whisky in used barrels such as barrels that have previously held wine, sherry, or port. These barrels impart different flavours to the whisky, creating whiskies with complex and unique flavour profiles.

Overall, whisky casks have come a tremendously long way since their inception in the 15th century. They have evolved significantly, and distillers continue to experiment with different types of casks to create unique and flavourful whiskies.

As a result, whisky drinkers today are able to enjoy a variety of whiskies with different flavour profiles, thanks to the evolution of the whisky cask. 

Buy Whisky Casks 

Thinking about whisky cask ownership? If the answer is yes, then Auction Your Cask is the place for you to come. We are the leading online cask auction platform, bringing together experts from across the whisky industry - collectors, sales professionals, tasters and graders, and passionate enthusiasts.

Our platform enables private owners and investors to buy and sell whisky casks to independent bottlers and other buyers all over the world. We provide a comprehensive service to ensure the seller's and buyer's safety, with re-gauging, 70cl samples, proof of ownership, and a 0% seller's fee to guarantee the actual hammer price.

In addition, buyers have the benefit of a low 15% + VAT buyers' fee, giving them the opportunity to acquire rare casks at great value. If you have any questions about buying whisky casks, please contact us today. You can reach us by phone on +44 (0)203 746 3030 or email us at info@auctionyourcask.com.